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Untethering Dark
In the shadows of the forest, he waits…
A bloody and bewitching monster romance from Desirée M. Niccoli.
A winter hag in training, Astrid spends her days in the Black Forest sharpening her spell craft and flinging axes at tourists, and her nights leaving offerings to the ancient eldritch monster that guards the woods. She’s one sex ritual away from leaving the last trace of her unwanted humanity behind and stepping into her full power.
It’s the perfect life. Until a group of unruly humans brings that same deadly monster to her doorstep. Now, her only hope for survival is a plate of poisoned cookies.
Gudariks has roamed the Black Forest since it sprouted its first trees, consuming any who violate his beloved land. Lured to the witch’s gate, he is amused at her attempt to poison him with sweets…but spending time with her awakens millennia of repressed desire. Astrid doesn’t shy away from the gentle caress of his claws or his most ravenous attentions.
As witch and monster find long-buried heat in the wintery landscape they call home, signs of a dark, lost magic begin to appear in the forest. When a rising supernatural threat has them questioning not only their ability to protect the forest, but Gudariks’s own immortality, their only solution may be to share their strength and create a union beyond mortal comprehension.
A bloody and bewitching monster romance from Desirée M. Niccoli.
A winter hag in training, Astrid spends her days in the Black Forest sharpening her spell craft and flinging axes at tourists, and her nights leaving offerings to the ancient eldritch monster that guards the woods. She’s one sex ritual away from leaving the last trace of her unwanted humanity behind and stepping into her full power.
It’s the perfect life. Until a group of unruly humans brings that same deadly monster to her doorstep. Now, her only hope for survival is a plate of poisoned cookies.
Gudariks has roamed the Black Forest since it sprouted its first trees, consuming any who violate his beloved land. Lured to the witch’s gate, he is amused at her attempt to poison him with sweets…but spending time with her awakens millennia of repressed desire. Astrid doesn’t shy away from the gentle caress of his claws or his most ravenous attentions.
As witch and monster find long-buried heat in the wintery landscape they call home, signs of a dark, lost magic begin to appear in the forest. When a rising supernatural threat has them questioning not only their ability to protect the forest, but Gudariks’s own immortality, their only solution may be to share their strength and create a union beyond mortal comprehension.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2025
124 people are currently reading
971 people want to read
About the author
Desirée M. Niccoli
10 books165 followersBy night, Desirée M. Niccoli writes a blend of vicious romance and cozy horror, featuring monsters, villains, and the supernatural, and often served with (mostly) emotionally intelligent characters and heart. By day, she is a public relations professional living the nomadic military life with her husband and two cats Pawdry Hepburn and Puma Thurman. Although born and raised in Pittsburgh, Desirée has since lived in coastal Maine (where her spooky heart truly lies) and Maryland.
Name Pronunciation: DE-zi-RAY NI-Koh-lee. Rhymes with cannoli.
She is represented by Kaitlyn Katsoupis at Belcastro Agency.
For emailed book news and author’s musings, subscribe to Desirée’s blog Brain Ink at www.dmniccoli.com. And for even more regular book-related updates, you can find her on Twitter/X and TikTok @dmniccoli and Instagram @author_dmniccoli.
Name Pronunciation: DE-zi-RAY NI-Koh-lee. Rhymes with cannoli.
She is represented by Kaitlyn Katsoupis at Belcastro Agency.
For emailed book news and author’s musings, subscribe to Desirée’s blog Brain Ink at www.dmniccoli.com. And for even more regular book-related updates, you can find her on Twitter/X and TikTok @dmniccoli and Instagram @author_dmniccoli.
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March 4, 2025DNF. If evil parents know they will be punished and eventually gutted, why would they continue to hurt their children?
Overall, this story was not a good fit for me, but you might like it.
Overall, this story was not a good fit for me, but you might like it.
February 2, 2025
This was intense, violent, and emotionally moving. Astrid was morally gray edging to morally black and had few people she genuinely cared for. The ones she loved she protected fiercely. Both she and Gudarīks were plant parents and would do anything to protect the forest. Their official meeting was unique and messy, but they found common ground pretty quickly. I loved the attention to detail in the lore and the backstories of both characters. I was emotionally investing in their well being and their love story.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: violence, gun violence, gore, murder, torture, human sacrifice, child neglect and emotional abuse (historical), flashback and panic attack, animal torture and death
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: violence, gun violence, gore, murder, torture, human sacrifice, child neglect and emotional abuse (historical), flashback and panic attack, animal torture and death
January 4, 2026
📖 Bookish Thoughts
I loved this dark monster romance. The witch and hag worldbuilding was detailed and immersive. I really liked the magic system!
If you enjoyed the Duskwalker series, I think this one will absolutely work for you.
I would also highly recommend the audiobook. The narration was fire even with it being a solo narration.
🖤 What to Expect
• Eldritch MMC
• Witch FMC
• Ritual magic
• Touch her and die
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 4.5 stars
🎧 Audio Score: 4.5 stars
🎙️ Narration Style: Solo
📅 Pub Date: January 20, 2026
📝 Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
I loved this dark monster romance. The witch and hag worldbuilding was detailed and immersive. I really liked the magic system!
If you enjoyed the Duskwalker series, I think this one will absolutely work for you.
I would also highly recommend the audiobook. The narration was fire even with it being a solo narration.
🖤 What to Expect
• Eldritch MMC
• Witch FMC
• Ritual magic
• Touch her and die
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 4.5 stars
🎧 Audio Score: 4.5 stars
🎙️ Narration Style: Solo
📅 Pub Date: January 20, 2026
📝 Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
December 23, 2025
I AM OBSESSED this is literally the perfect monster romance. Spicy , witchy, monstrous , terrific banter , an excellent plot. German folklore strewn in, I literally could not put this down. It’s going to be living rent free for a long time and is def one of my top reads this year. Narrator did a fantastic job portraying varying emotions accents and giving each character their own identity. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for this alc. LOVED IT
April 1, 2025
Very different than I expected. Not bad perse but it was not as enjoyable as I hoped.
You know, sometimes you get annoyed by how little plot there is in comparison with the romance. This way it was the other way around. I know, sounds weird. However, by the title, I just expected a filthy monster romance, but there was such a big mystery/witchy/murder plot that the romance kinda fell away. I did enjoy the plot and the romance but it was also not that well imo. Also, as someone who understands German, all the German phrases and words got on my nerves after a while.
Overall a decent book but not that great.
2.75 stars!
You know, sometimes you get annoyed by how little plot there is in comparison with the romance. This way it was the other way around. I know, sounds weird. However, by the title, I just expected a filthy monster romance, but there was such a big mystery/witchy/murder plot that the romance kinda fell away. I did enjoy the plot and the romance but it was also not that well imo. Also, as someone who understands German, all the German phrases and words got on my nerves after a while.
Overall a decent book but not that great.
2.75 stars!
January 6, 2026
ALC 5 Stars!
Monster Romance + Winter Witch & Protector of the Forest + German Folklore + Supernatural Threat
I love me some monster romance, so when I saw the cover of this book, I knew I was going to be hooked! This book follows a winter witch who is in the process of transitioning into hag (a skilled full blown witch, no negative connotation like i first thought lol) who will have the power of ice and winter magic after she completes the last ritual, which happens to be a sex ritual.
She ends up meeting Gudarīks who is the ancient protector of the forest, who kind of reminds me of a wendigo with his fur covered body, skeleton face, and antlers. They start to create a friendship that is quickly followed by interest and arousal for both parties. Both of these characters are fierce and blood thirsty and will stop of nothing to protect their land.
The connection between these two was electric! The "hold onto my antlers" scene, oh lord! I enjoyed the supernatural mystery part of this book and it kept my attention the entire time! I also really enjoyed the narrator.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to those who love a spicy monster romance!
This ALC was sent to me through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Monster Romance + Winter Witch & Protector of the Forest + German Folklore + Supernatural Threat
I love me some monster romance, so when I saw the cover of this book, I knew I was going to be hooked! This book follows a winter witch who is in the process of transitioning into hag (a skilled full blown witch, no negative connotation like i first thought lol) who will have the power of ice and winter magic after she completes the last ritual, which happens to be a sex ritual.
She ends up meeting Gudarīks who is the ancient protector of the forest, who kind of reminds me of a wendigo with his fur covered body, skeleton face, and antlers. They start to create a friendship that is quickly followed by interest and arousal for both parties. Both of these characters are fierce and blood thirsty and will stop of nothing to protect their land.
The connection between these two was electric! The "hold onto my antlers" scene, oh lord! I enjoyed the supernatural mystery part of this book and it kept my attention the entire time! I also really enjoyed the narrator.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to those who love a spicy monster romance!
This ALC was sent to me through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 25, 2025
This book was such a vicious delight. I feel like that is the best way to describe it. Niccoli brought her specific brand of heartwarming bloodthirsty vibes right into the darker monster lover world, and I loved every second.
There is a quote from the book that I feel like can sum up a lot of my thoughts in the perfect way.
“Weapon in one hand, sipping tea from her thermos with the other, Astrid was a study in contrary multitudes.”
You have this character in Astrid who has worked her whole life to strip away her humanity. To be more vicious. To rip out a heart directly from a man’s chest and take a big bite, but she is doing it for the most wholesome of reasons. So many of the characters in this book are truly a study in contrary multitudes, but Astrid leads the pack. I absolutely love how she walks through the world, and I want to be her when I grow up.
Gudarīks is no exception to containing multitudes. A feared entity within the forest. A guardian with no mercy for those who don’t follow the rules. And yet. He is my first “animal skull for a head” MMC, and he will always hold a special place in my heart. If you see me out in the woods with a plate of cookies, mind your business.
I also immediately fell in love with all the side characters! Astrid’s friends. Her mother. The animal companions. Goats are in! I want to ride in sleighs and have bimonthly dinners with all of them. I love it when an author can just immediately make side characters just as important as the mains.
One of the things that I love most about Niccoli’s books is the overarching themes of what it is to be a monster and who the real monsters are. This book really does an incredible job of exploring that in a totally new way. We have monsters coming from all sides, and not all of them have horns.
I just truly loved everything about this book. I especially loved the exploration of German Folklore! It was a lot of fun to get to learn about a few legends I had never heard before. I definitely walked away with a few new recipes I can’t wait to try. There will also twists and turns. I was stressing through the end, and when we finally got there, my heart was absolutely touched by how it all wrapped up.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There is a quote from the book that I feel like can sum up a lot of my thoughts in the perfect way.
“Weapon in one hand, sipping tea from her thermos with the other, Astrid was a study in contrary multitudes.”
You have this character in Astrid who has worked her whole life to strip away her humanity. To be more vicious. To rip out a heart directly from a man’s chest and take a big bite, but she is doing it for the most wholesome of reasons. So many of the characters in this book are truly a study in contrary multitudes, but Astrid leads the pack. I absolutely love how she walks through the world, and I want to be her when I grow up.
Gudarīks is no exception to containing multitudes. A feared entity within the forest. A guardian with no mercy for those who don’t follow the rules. And yet. He is my first “animal skull for a head” MMC, and he will always hold a special place in my heart. If you see me out in the woods with a plate of cookies, mind your business.
I also immediately fell in love with all the side characters! Astrid’s friends. Her mother. The animal companions. Goats are in! I want to ride in sleighs and have bimonthly dinners with all of them. I love it when an author can just immediately make side characters just as important as the mains.
One of the things that I love most about Niccoli’s books is the overarching themes of what it is to be a monster and who the real monsters are. This book really does an incredible job of exploring that in a totally new way. We have monsters coming from all sides, and not all of them have horns.
I just truly loved everything about this book. I especially loved the exploration of German Folklore! It was a lot of fun to get to learn about a few legends I had never heard before. I definitely walked away with a few new recipes I can’t wait to try. There will also twists and turns. I was stressing through the end, and when we finally got there, my heart was absolutely touched by how it all wrapped up.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2026
2.5 rounded to 3 ⭐️
2.5 (maybe 3?) 🌶️
I'm torn. I liked this book, but then again it doesn't quite sit right with me because of several issues I have with it. I'd also pin this with a massive TW for animal cruelty/torture, all of which I skipped over (but still caught enough of to understand what was going on). If you have a bleeding heart for animals like I do then you'll definitely struggle with this one.
What I didn't like: Our MMC Guldariks' speech seems too modern for a creature who has only observed humans from a distance and hasn't spent much time interacting up close with them. He also seems to have an unusually good understanding of human emotions and consent. That didn't bother me at first, but upon reflection it does seem a bit odd for an ancient forest god of unknown age/origin to be so emotionally well-rounded. As for our FMC Astrid, her speech patterns occasionally felt choppy or incomplete and that bothered me a lot.
I also didn't like how I couldn't get a clear idea of what Astrid looked like. Early in the story all we get is that she's pale and has long white-ish hair; later we learn she has different colored eyes; then by 40-ish% we learn she has tattoos, too. I hated having to rebuild her image in my mind multiple times and would rather have these details up front instead of the author dishing it out in pieces.
However, I genuinely did like the folklore vibe and the silly goats and the baking. I loved that Guldariks could taste Astrid's developing feelings in the things she baked for him. I enjoyed the spice and sexy times well enough, but I found the trick he could do with his fingers to be a little odd, maybe even unnecessary. I definitely didn't like the mention of hags procreating with other powerful beings. My anxiety kicked in when Astrid's mother heavily suggested she get preggo by Guldariks. Thankfully there's no pregnancy here, but they do end the story with the thought that . I could have done without that element, and I think it soured the story a bit for me when I finished it.
If you're a monster girlie I think this book is worth giving a try. It probably won't be your favorite but it will still scratch the monster fucker itch. Just expect some inconsistencies and remember to check those trigger warnings!
2.5 (maybe 3?) 🌶️
I'm torn. I liked this book, but then again it doesn't quite sit right with me because of several issues I have with it. I'd also pin this with a massive TW for animal cruelty/torture, all of which I skipped over (but still caught enough of to understand what was going on). If you have a bleeding heart for animals like I do then you'll definitely struggle with this one.
What I didn't like: Our MMC Guldariks' speech seems too modern for a creature who has only observed humans from a distance and hasn't spent much time interacting up close with them. He also seems to have an unusually good understanding of human emotions and consent. That didn't bother me at first, but upon reflection it does seem a bit odd for an ancient forest god of unknown age/origin to be so emotionally well-rounded. As for our FMC Astrid, her speech patterns occasionally felt choppy or incomplete and that bothered me a lot.
I also didn't like how I couldn't get a clear idea of what Astrid looked like. Early in the story all we get is that she's pale and has long white-ish hair; later we learn she has different colored eyes; then by 40-ish% we learn she has tattoos, too. I hated having to rebuild her image in my mind multiple times and would rather have these details up front instead of the author dishing it out in pieces.
However, I genuinely did like the folklore vibe and the silly goats and the baking. I loved that Guldariks could taste Astrid's developing feelings in the things she baked for him. I enjoyed the spice and sexy times well enough, but I found the trick he could do with his fingers to be a little odd, maybe even unnecessary. I definitely didn't like the mention of hags procreating with other powerful beings. My anxiety kicked in when Astrid's mother heavily suggested she get preggo by Guldariks. Thankfully there's no pregnancy here, but they do end the story with the thought that . I could have done without that element, and I think it soured the story a bit for me when I finished it.
If you're a monster girlie I think this book is worth giving a try. It probably won't be your favorite but it will still scratch the monster fucker itch. Just expect some inconsistencies and remember to check those trigger warnings!
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March 12, 2025DROPPED.
The writing style was a bit...messy for me, as in I couldn't read the flow properly. That disturbs me because then I wasn't able to immerse myself in the story. Coupled with I'm not that crazy about hags or witches or magic, and I read reviews saying the smexy times wasn't what a monster-human one should be like - HOT.
Other readers are also comparing this with Opal Reyne's books, and I can see the comparison there in concept at least, but the fear isn't palpable here nor the sexual desire.
The writing style was a bit...messy for me, as in I couldn't read the flow properly. That disturbs me because then I wasn't able to immerse myself in the story. Coupled with I'm not that crazy about hags or witches or magic, and I read reviews saying the smexy times wasn't what a monster-human one should be like - HOT.
Other readers are also comparing this with Opal Reyne's books, and I can see the comparison there in concept at least, but the fear isn't palpable here nor the sexual desire.
January 12, 2026
This was fantastic! Our FMC Astrid is a winter witch, living deep in a German forest, mostly isolated from the modern world. The German folklore woven into Astrid’s childhood & her adopted mother’s background as The Yuletide Witch is violent, vengeful, bloody, and really really fun. I loved mom!
Born human, Astrid has little sympathy for humans who disregard the forest rules. When careless human hikers lead the lethal forest monster Gudariks to her front door, Astrid prepares herself to meet death. What follows is a budding attraction between monster and witch, while an ominous threat to the forest + all who call it home brings bloody violence and deadly magic into their lives.
The yearning between Astrid and Gudariks was top tier! We have two fearsome, magical killers bringing the accidental thigh brushes and lingering side glances. We also have excellent communication about sexy time and boundaries.
The magic was dark, interesting, and explained well. The evil was truly sinister, the spice was both sexy and intentional, the characters had layers and growth, and the plot was tiered and wrapped up nicely. The author clearly put effort into her research of the German lore and history used throughout the story.
There's a decent amount of German language used, and narrator Kimberly Wetherell did a fantastic job with the German accents, as well as her voices for different characters.
*Thank you HTP Audio for the ALC, all thoughts are my own.
Born human, Astrid has little sympathy for humans who disregard the forest rules. When careless human hikers lead the lethal forest monster Gudariks to her front door, Astrid prepares herself to meet death. What follows is a budding attraction between monster and witch, while an ominous threat to the forest + all who call it home brings bloody violence and deadly magic into their lives.
The yearning between Astrid and Gudariks was top tier! We have two fearsome, magical killers bringing the accidental thigh brushes and lingering side glances. We also have excellent communication about sexy time and boundaries.
The magic was dark, interesting, and explained well. The evil was truly sinister, the spice was both sexy and intentional, the characters had layers and growth, and the plot was tiered and wrapped up nicely. The author clearly put effort into her research of the German lore and history used throughout the story.
There's a decent amount of German language used, and narrator Kimberly Wetherell did a fantastic job with the German accents, as well as her voices for different characters.
*Thank you HTP Audio for the ALC, all thoughts are my own.
December 26, 2025
oh my gosh, this was stunning 🥹 cozy, magical, lovely and so romantic in a dark and haunting way. it had such a beautifully rich setting and cadence to the story which took my breath away. i was eagerly looking forward to listening, i was beyond captivated and devoured this. this has been on my tbr for a while now and i love this author so much! i feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be an early listener for the audiobook. it was mesmerizing. absolutely the most perfect book for winter, i loved everything about it. it transported me somewhere else and i loved the journey. astrid was devoted and strong, and Gudarīks’s was captivating, scary and gorgeous. both characters are not relatable and are both morally grey/black and yet so likable and lovely. i adored them both so much. the german folklore was fantastic. this story was deeply moving. outstanding book!
February 7, 2025
I love that creepy forest monster. There, I said it.
January 3, 2026
Update as I just listened to the audio. When I tell you they couldn't have picked a better narrator. She really made the characters come alive and the story seem full. You could really feel the emotions and I felt really engaged the entire time. Sometimes I have a hard time with audiobooks because my mind wanders but that wasn't the case here. When I do my next read through it will definitely be with the audio.
This was absolutely incredible. A nice cozy monster romance with a solid helping of gore 😌.
The way the author writes the setting is incredible. You close your eyes, and you're exactly where she wants you to be - smelling the cookies, hearing the bells, it's all there. It was so easy to get wrapped up in.
The characters themselves were phenomenal. He wasn't a soft and fluffy monster, (okay he is literally fluffy), he actively hunts and eats people. Do they deserve it? Yeah. But still 😅.
Astrid is just a straight badass. Befriending the monster in the forest with cookies, killing people with an axe, and then some really freaking cool ice powers?? 10/10
There was a bit of a slow burn, but once it got going, it really freaking got going 👀👀. I loved this so much and can't wait to read it again, honestly.
Thank you to the author for the gifted arc
This was absolutely incredible. A nice cozy monster romance with a solid helping of gore 😌.
The way the author writes the setting is incredible. You close your eyes, and you're exactly where she wants you to be - smelling the cookies, hearing the bells, it's all there. It was so easy to get wrapped up in.
The characters themselves were phenomenal. He wasn't a soft and fluffy monster, (okay he is literally fluffy), he actively hunts and eats people. Do they deserve it? Yeah. But still 😅.
Astrid is just a straight badass. Befriending the monster in the forest with cookies, killing people with an axe, and then some really freaking cool ice powers?? 10/10
There was a bit of a slow burn, but once it got going, it really freaking got going 👀👀. I loved this so much and can't wait to read it again, honestly.
Thank you to the author for the gifted arc
December 28, 2025
2.75 🌟
The folklore, cozy forest cottage & witchy vibes were my favorite parts, but I ended up losing interest in the romance & plot & called it quits ~70% in.
I appreciated the complexities the author gave
the mcs, & it mostly worked for the fmc, but not so much for the mmc. I recognize the duality to Gudarīks; he’s a super old, powerful God who feels fear/sadness/loneliness, but for me to go from being spooked by this powerful “monster” of a God to thinking he’s kind of a mush was a bit of a mood killer. If he’s been thousands of years alone I expected his interactions with Astrid, especially his first ones, to go very differently. Right off the bat, he was too friendly, too conversational, & not monstrous enough. And based on what the original title promised (had “steamy romance” in it before it was changed), I was disappointed in the overall romance & lack of steaminess.
What originally felt like a spooky plot ended up feeling underwhelming. Even if the specific events stayed the same, a change in pacing could’ve improved it imo.
The vibes you get from the prose were a bit conflicting. You have very gruesome animal torture scenes, but at the same time you have very cheesy/playful tones between characters & cozy gardening/baking details. I understand it was probably to balance each other out, but the execution didn’t work for me.
The folklore, cozy forest cottage & witchy vibes were my favorite parts, but I ended up losing interest in the romance & plot & called it quits ~70% in.
I appreciated the complexities the author gave
the mcs, & it mostly worked for the fmc, but not so much for the mmc. I recognize the duality to Gudarīks; he’s a super old, powerful God who feels fear/sadness/loneliness, but for me to go from being spooked by this powerful “monster” of a God to thinking he’s kind of a mush was a bit of a mood killer. If he’s been thousands of years alone I expected his interactions with Astrid, especially his first ones, to go very differently. Right off the bat, he was too friendly, too conversational, & not monstrous enough. And based on what the original title promised (had “steamy romance” in it before it was changed), I was disappointed in the overall romance & lack of steaminess.
What originally felt like a spooky plot ended up feeling underwhelming. Even if the specific events stayed the same, a change in pacing could’ve improved it imo.
The vibes you get from the prose were a bit conflicting. You have very gruesome animal torture scenes, but at the same time you have very cheesy/playful tones between characters & cozy gardening/baking details. I understand it was probably to balance each other out, but the execution didn’t work for me.
March 11, 2025
i’m revising my review. this book is ass. and boring as fuck
January 16, 2025
Overall:⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 (Rounded up for GR because they don't do thing by halves
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Deep in the Black Forest of Germany, a woman has lived the past twenty-nine years. She lives in harmony with her minimalist cabin, her garden, her goats, and always makes sure to leave an offering for the beast who prowls the night. She’s never seen them, despite her curiosity, but she has heard the screams of errant hikers who have failed to heed the warning hung throughout the woods to leave before dark. She keeps to her routine until one winter when her offering is destroyed and the only thing she has left to give is a plate of cookies or herself.
I Went into this book a little concerned. Being toted as Harlequin’s first foray into monster romance I was worried they would soften the edges and leave us with a monster that was…well not really a monster. My worries were unfounded. The author delivered to us not only a monster romance that gave us all the monster, all the romance, with a sizzling slow burn and tension you could cut with a knife. They also delivered a monster even worse than our MMC for us to aim our vitriol at.
We meet Astrid our, not quite human FMC, a witch who lives in a cabin in the Black Forest of Germany. She lives near a town outside the woods, she knows the head forest ranger, and she helps her adoptive mom out sometimes. Also living in the Forest is our MMC, Altes Geweih, a monster with a body of pitch black covered in fur with a skull for a head and read glowing orbs for eyes and an impressive…rack of antlers.
This book was well written. I enjoyed the storyline that arose alongside the romance. There are things happening in the forest and Astrid, her human friends, her adoptive mother and Altes are all trying to figure out who is doing these things. As I said I was worried we were going to end up with a monster who wasn’t monstrous, but we didn’t. Altes still has monstrous tendencies, which are shown in the book both in present and in flashback sort of moments.
What we do have that some hard-core monster romance fans might find remise is a lower level of spice. I am not looking at you and saying there is no spice. No no. This is not white bread vs French toast. (or some other better analogy I can’t think of right now.) Now this is a bonfire vs. a controlled fireplace fire. Both are hot. Both are nice in their own ways and they both have their places.
In this end this is a very good book. Very worth your time, especially if you like monster romance. It has some classic tropes, which all work in this scenario. I think the only thing that kept me from giving it a full 5 stars is I kept getting distracted by the German words and phrases that would be thrown in. And I would HAVE too look them up Or a cookie would be mentioned and I would HAVE to look up what was in that cookie. So if you’re not a kind to be distracted by that, this may very well be a 5 star for you. Also there is a name and phrase guide in the book. In my copy it was at the end of the book. So if that is something that is of interest to you, that is where mine was.
Happy Reading!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Deep in the Black Forest of Germany, a woman has lived the past twenty-nine years. She lives in harmony with her minimalist cabin, her garden, her goats, and always makes sure to leave an offering for the beast who prowls the night. She’s never seen them, despite her curiosity, but she has heard the screams of errant hikers who have failed to heed the warning hung throughout the woods to leave before dark. She keeps to her routine until one winter when her offering is destroyed and the only thing she has left to give is a plate of cookies or herself.
I Went into this book a little concerned. Being toted as Harlequin’s first foray into monster romance I was worried they would soften the edges and leave us with a monster that was…well not really a monster. My worries were unfounded. The author delivered to us not only a monster romance that gave us all the monster, all the romance, with a sizzling slow burn and tension you could cut with a knife. They also delivered a monster even worse than our MMC for us to aim our vitriol at.
We meet Astrid our, not quite human FMC, a witch who lives in a cabin in the Black Forest of Germany. She lives near a town outside the woods, she knows the head forest ranger, and she helps her adoptive mom out sometimes. Also living in the Forest is our MMC, Altes Geweih, a monster with a body of pitch black covered in fur with a skull for a head and read glowing orbs for eyes and an impressive…rack of antlers.
This book was well written. I enjoyed the storyline that arose alongside the romance. There are things happening in the forest and Astrid, her human friends, her adoptive mother and Altes are all trying to figure out who is doing these things. As I said I was worried we were going to end up with a monster who wasn’t monstrous, but we didn’t. Altes still has monstrous tendencies, which are shown in the book both in present and in flashback sort of moments.
What we do have that some hard-core monster romance fans might find remise is a lower level of spice. I am not looking at you and saying there is no spice. No no. This is not white bread vs French toast. (or some other better analogy I can’t think of right now.) Now this is a bonfire vs. a controlled fireplace fire. Both are hot. Both are nice in their own ways and they both have their places.
In this end this is a very good book. Very worth your time, especially if you like monster romance. It has some classic tropes, which all work in this scenario. I think the only thing that kept me from giving it a full 5 stars is I kept getting distracted by the German words and phrases that would be thrown in. And I would HAVE too look them up Or a cookie would be mentioned and I would HAVE to look up what was in that cookie. So if you’re not a kind to be distracted by that, this may very well be a 5 star for you. Also there is a name and phrase guide in the book. In my copy it was at the end of the book. So if that is something that is of interest to you, that is where mine was.
Happy Reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2025
4.5/5🌟
Monster lovers, look no further. This will warm you during these cold, winter nights.
This book includes:
🌲 She's a witch training to be a winter hag
🌲 He's a thousands-years-old mythical forest god
🌲 German folklore
🌲 Dark forest setting
🌲 Extremely atmospheric
🌲 Horror romance (yes, there's gore)
🌲 Baking/food descriptions
🌲 He can taste/smell peoples (her) emotions
🌲 A little bit of a slow burn.
🌲 Nice and spicy
🌲 Diverse cast of characters
Desirée. Claps all around. I don't typically read full-length monster romances, but you got me with this atmosphere. I don't even want to know how much research you put into the piece. My German ancestors are probably so proud of me for learning our native language through a monster, smut book. But seriously, this was such an enjoyable, sexy, spooky read for the winter. I always appreciate your willingness to describe the anatomy of your characters. (Yes, I immediately wanted to know how skull-faced man was going to kiss human lips. Thank you for answering.) You brought in very unique and tough subjects in sensitive and engaging ways. I had a blast.
Monster lovers, look no further. This will warm you during these cold, winter nights.
This book includes:
🌲 She's a witch training to be a winter hag
🌲 He's a thousands-years-old mythical forest god
🌲 German folklore
🌲 Dark forest setting
🌲 Extremely atmospheric
🌲 Horror romance (yes, there's gore)
🌲 Baking/food descriptions
🌲 He can taste/smell peoples (her) emotions
🌲 A little bit of a slow burn.
🌲 Nice and spicy
🌲 Diverse cast of characters
Desirée. Claps all around. I don't typically read full-length monster romances, but you got me with this atmosphere. I don't even want to know how much research you put into the piece. My German ancestors are probably so proud of me for learning our native language through a monster, smut book. But seriously, this was such an enjoyable, sexy, spooky read for the winter. I always appreciate your willingness to describe the anatomy of your characters. (Yes, I immediately wanted to know how skull-faced man was going to kiss human lips. Thank you for answering.) You brought in very unique and tough subjects in sensitive and engaging ways. I had a blast.
January 11, 2025
This was such a beautifully atmospheric book! It was just so saturated in rich world building and lore that I was fully obsessed from page one. Untethering Dark follows Astrid, a hag-to-be, as she navigates her witchy life in Der Schwarzwald (ancient forest). Every night, as taught by essentially her adoptive hag mother, Perchta, Astrid leaves out an offering for the forest God, Altes Geweih. Until one day, some of trail hikers come across her secluded cabin and messes up her blood offering, causing her to meet the forest daddy face-to-face…. With COOKIES. 🍪 I absolutely adored both Astrid and Gudarīks, he is so sweet on her and their blossoming relationship was so tender.
Besides the hot romance aspect, the plot for this book was so so so good. It has elements of revenge, necromancy, magic, spirits, sacrificial offerings, and so much more that I was so HOOKED.
🩵 Extreme age gap (he’s like 12,000 years old)
🩵 Winter goddess witch FMC
🩵 Primal play
🩵 Touch either of them and die
🩵 Sexually charged spells
🩵 MMC wears the hand necklaces here bby
Besides the hot romance aspect, the plot for this book was so so so good. It has elements of revenge, necromancy, magic, spirits, sacrificial offerings, and so much more that I was so HOOKED.
🩵 Extreme age gap (he’s like 12,000 years old)
🩵 Winter goddess witch FMC
🩵 Primal play
🩵 Touch either of them and die
🩵 Sexually charged spells
🩵 MMC wears the hand necklaces here bby
January 3, 2025
I loved every bit of this book! The Germanic dark fairytale vibes were perfect for an atmospheric monster romance with complex and engaging characters.
Astrid is a witch who cares for the forest and the creatures that live in it. Gudarīks is the monster who lives in the forest and anyone caught in his forest after dark is not likely to be seen again. But when he meets Astrid he's intrigued by her and she by him. Both main characters were beyond human ideas of morality, But it was the monsters were sympathetic while the humans were truly monstrous.
I really enjoyed the romance between two forest guardians, the building attraction between them was so well done. There was tension and tenderness and so much heat. I'm always weak for a scary monster who is sweet and protective of their love.
This book really sucks you into its world and story. The writing is engaging, the characters are complex and vivid, and the romance and spice were super hot!
Astrid is a witch who cares for the forest and the creatures that live in it. Gudarīks is the monster who lives in the forest and anyone caught in his forest after dark is not likely to be seen again. But when he meets Astrid he's intrigued by her and she by him. Both main characters were beyond human ideas of morality, But it was the monsters were sympathetic while the humans were truly monstrous.
I really enjoyed the romance between two forest guardians, the building attraction between them was so well done. There was tension and tenderness and so much heat. I'm always weak for a scary monster who is sweet and protective of their love.
This book really sucks you into its world and story. The writing is engaging, the characters are complex and vivid, and the romance and spice were super hot!
January 26, 2025
For someone whose usual methods were "f*ck first, ask questions later" sticking to her resolve to savor him just a while longer was an unusual exercise in emotional edging.
I absolutely loved this book. As soon as I saw the cover I knew that I had to read it! And it did not disappoint. There's almost 400 pages of angst, mystery, magic, primal chases, necromancy, and a delicious slow-burn romance. If you love your monsters to be extra monstery this is the book for you! It's the perfect combination of a scary monster that's gentle and sweet - well for Astrid anyway.
Astrid is now one of my favorite FMCs. I want to be her when I grow up. She's vicious and smart and brave. Who wouldn't love a woman that walked out to meet her fate with the big, terrifying forest god while holding a plate of cookies?
The German folklore was so fun to read about, too. There was a bunch of creatures and stories I'd never heard of before. I really hope the author decides to write more monster romance in the future!
I absolutely loved this book. As soon as I saw the cover I knew that I had to read it! And it did not disappoint. There's almost 400 pages of angst, mystery, magic, primal chases, necromancy, and a delicious slow-burn romance. If you love your monsters to be extra monstery this is the book for you! It's the perfect combination of a scary monster that's gentle and sweet - well for Astrid anyway.
Astrid is now one of my favorite FMCs. I want to be her when I grow up. She's vicious and smart and brave. Who wouldn't love a woman that walked out to meet her fate with the big, terrifying forest god while holding a plate of cookies?
The German folklore was so fun to read about, too. There was a bunch of creatures and stories I'd never heard of before. I really hope the author decides to write more monster romance in the future!
December 21, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
This book was so cute-which feels weird to say based on how the cover looks a bit dark-but don’t let that fool you-those two are fluffy fluffy! 🤣
I love that the author was inspired by German folklore and that in writing this book it inspired her to dive deeper into her German roots.
The plot is solid, while obvious. They do stick to the story well. I liked our characters esp Astrid’s mom.
I was hoping this book would be much darker, but I can appreciate it for what it is. Some of the lines between Astrid and Gudarik were a bit cringe🤪 but that being said I will definitely be picking up more of this authors work!
The narrator did such a good job!!
Thank you NetGalley && Harlequin audio for the ALC!
This book was so cute-which feels weird to say based on how the cover looks a bit dark-but don’t let that fool you-those two are fluffy fluffy! 🤣
I love that the author was inspired by German folklore and that in writing this book it inspired her to dive deeper into her German roots.
The plot is solid, while obvious. They do stick to the story well. I liked our characters esp Astrid’s mom.
I was hoping this book would be much darker, but I can appreciate it for what it is. Some of the lines between Astrid and Gudarik were a bit cringe🤪 but that being said I will definitely be picking up more of this authors work!
The narrator did such a good job!!
Thank you NetGalley && Harlequin audio for the ALC!
December 30, 2025
This was the PERFECT audio to listen to while travelling for Christmas events. It is set in winter, in the Black Forest of Germany, and with all the ambience and vibes that go along with it. An excellent balance between plot and romance, it kept me hooked from beginning to end. The characters are unique and unlike any I've read before. In so many fantasy romance, the FMC is "stabby" and yet doesn't show a single authentic violent impulse. Not this FMC, she is just as violent as the MMC, and I loved every minute.
This will easily make my 2025 favorites list.
Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for this advanced listener copy. All opinions are my own, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This will easily make my 2025 favorites list.
Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for this advanced listener copy. All opinions are my own, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 12, 2025
Untethering Dark is a new kind of fairytale you can easily fall in love with - in all its dark and spicy glory.
Author Desiree Niccoli did yet an amazing job at writing such a unique tale filled with intriguing characters and a soulful setting all strung together by perfect pros.
I'm usually one to read an intriguing story in a short space of time but when a book is this excellent and breath-taking, I tend to take little breaks in-between just to really absorb the perfection and also not allow the story to end too soon!
I am eternally grateful to be part of the ARC team for this story and I cannot wait for it to be in readers' hands.
Author Desiree Niccoli did yet an amazing job at writing such a unique tale filled with intriguing characters and a soulful setting all strung together by perfect pros.
I'm usually one to read an intriguing story in a short space of time but when a book is this excellent and breath-taking, I tend to take little breaks in-between just to really absorb the perfection and also not allow the story to end too soon!
I am eternally grateful to be part of the ARC team for this story and I cannot wait for it to be in readers' hands.
January 12, 2026
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.
I'm a bit in between with this one. I thought that the world building was interesting. I also enjoyed the characters. I thought they were pretty well written and quite interesting. However the pacing is what got me. There were just parts that were entirely too long and it really felt like this book could have shorter. I felt okay with the romance of this one. It didn't blow me away, but it is enjoyable as the characters get closer to each other. I did like the narrator for this one whi did a good job with making this an engaging reading experience.
I'm a bit in between with this one. I thought that the world building was interesting. I also enjoyed the characters. I thought they were pretty well written and quite interesting. However the pacing is what got me. There were just parts that were entirely too long and it really felt like this book could have shorter. I felt okay with the romance of this one. It didn't blow me away, but it is enjoyable as the characters get closer to each other. I did like the narrator for this one whi did a good job with making this an engaging reading experience.
October 8, 2025
This was so good, I absolutely devoured this beautiful read.
We have a badass witch who offers Christmas cookies to the forest monster instead of her usual offering of animal blood. I was intrigued with both characters and how they would interact when they finally met - I was not disappointed.
At times, the romance took a backseat, which I did not mind as the storyline was so fascinating. I loved the German folklore aspects, it was so different to anything I've read before.
A wonderful read which I loved! I will be reading more from this author soon!
We have a badass witch who offers Christmas cookies to the forest monster instead of her usual offering of animal blood. I was intrigued with both characters and how they would interact when they finally met - I was not disappointed.
At times, the romance took a backseat, which I did not mind as the storyline was so fascinating. I loved the German folklore aspects, it was so different to anything I've read before.
A wonderful read which I loved! I will be reading more from this author soon!
January 11, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for gifting me an early ALC.
4.5 stars rounding up to 5!
I LOVED this book. I love fantasy rooted in folklore and this was the first time I've read a book inspired by Germanic folklore. There was a cozy cottagecore vibe to the forest that I really enjoyed and it was a great balance to some of the darker themes in the book (check your triggers). The cozier parts were really giving Ancient Magus Bride vibes, I was giggling and kicking my feet every time Astrid and Guldarik were together. I think this might be my first monster romance featuring an Eldritch monster, and now I'm obsessed.
4.5 stars rounding up to 5!
I LOVED this book. I love fantasy rooted in folklore and this was the first time I've read a book inspired by Germanic folklore. There was a cozy cottagecore vibe to the forest that I really enjoyed and it was a great balance to some of the darker themes in the book (check your triggers). The cozier parts were really giving Ancient Magus Bride vibes, I was giggling and kicking my feet every time Astrid and Guldarik were together. I think this might be my first monster romance featuring an Eldritch monster, and now I'm obsessed.
January 19, 2025
Thank you so much to the author for an arc, all opinions are my own.
Astrid is a woman living in the German forest in a cottage. She is training to become a hag from her adopted mother, who raised her after killing her parents. There is so much German lore I learned in this story and I loved it so much. There was a great mix of the old customs and the new combined with the story and the storyline of the humans not being able to be found by the Wald Vater really got me hooked.
Astrid is a woman living in the German forest in a cottage. She is training to become a hag from her adopted mother, who raised her after killing her parents. There is so much German lore I learned in this story and I loved it so much. There was a great mix of the old customs and the new combined with the story and the storyline of the humans not being able to be found by the Wald Vater really got me hooked.
May 16, 2025
Um okay this was SO GOOD. Not gonna lie, I’ve been avoiding monster romance for a while because I was struggling to find good ones, and this has finally broken the curse.
I adore all of the characters and this couple was so sweet. I appreciated that even when they had small hiccups, they handled everything like rational adults. Wonderful balance of both romance and plot, and this story feels very cozy somehow, even with the undercurrent of murdery cult.
I adore all of the characters and this couple was so sweet. I appreciated that even when they had small hiccups, they handled everything like rational adults. Wonderful balance of both romance and plot, and this story feels very cozy somehow, even with the undercurrent of murdery cult.
February 16, 2025
This book was an incredible read. From the moment I saw the cover, I knew I had to pick it up, and it did not disappoint. With tension, mystery, magic, primal chases, necromancy, and a slow-burning romance, it delivered. For those who prefer their monsters to be truly monstrous yet capable of unexpected gentleness, this would be a perfect read for u!
Astrid stands out as a remarkable protagonist. She’s ruthless, intelligent, and fearless—the kind of character who commands attention. The image of her stepping forward to meet a powerful and terrifying forest god with nothing but a plate of cookies is unforgettable.
The German folklore added another layer of intrigue, introducing creatures and myths I had never encountered before.
Astrid stands out as a remarkable protagonist. She’s ruthless, intelligent, and fearless—the kind of character who commands attention. The image of her stepping forward to meet a powerful and terrifying forest god with nothing but a plate of cookies is unforgettable.
The German folklore added another layer of intrigue, introducing creatures and myths I had never encountered before.
Want to read
December 12, 2024In the shadows of the forest, he waits…
monster romance!
monster romance!
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